Ignition system for internal combustion engines



5, 1940- w. c. BRINTOQN 0,

munou sys'mu FOR- INTERNAL comsus'nou mamas Filed Oct. 26, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 K476822730 Erika 012 v WWQ arm/wen: I

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IGNITION SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Oct. 26, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 afMJU Patented Nov. 5, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE IGNITION SYSTEM roa INTERNAL COMBUS- TION ENGINES William C. Brinton, Harper, Wash.

Application October 26, 1938, Serial No. 237,139

17 Claims. (Cl. 123-148) This invention relates to ignition systems for internal combustion engines.

The present application is, in part, a continuation of my prior application Serial No. 754,972,

5 filed November 27, 1934, which is in turn, a continuation of my prior application Serial No. 714,042, filed March 5, 1934.

The primary object of the present invention is to improve the characteristics of the firing spark of an internal combustion engine of ordinary type, so that ignition is more readily effected, whereby the efliciency of the engine is increased with an attendant increase in power. By reason of the more efiicient performance of the ignition system, there is attained a saving of 'fuel, easier starting, smoother operation at all speeds and less spark plug and circuit breaker trouble. The present improvement is also advantageous where a battery is used as the sole source of current for ignition purposes since to obtain the same result less drain on the battery is necessary and consequently the life of the battery is increased. It further appears that the invention reduces the strain on the condenser in the primary circuit wires, so that there is a general tendency to reduce electrical leakage through the high tension conductors of the entire ignition system.

The invention may either be in the nature of 30 an auxiliary device which is applicable to an existing ignition system, or it may be. built into substantially any ignition system, either of the ordinary jump spark or the split spark type at the time of construction thereof.

35 In my prior application referred to above there are disclosed certain principles which are carried over into the present case. However, I have discovered that various modifications of my prior arrangements give even better results, and ac- 0 cordingly the present application is directed additionally to such modifications.

The above indicated, and more specific, objects ofthe invention will be apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the 45 accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 indicate in plan view successive steps in the construction of an improved circuit element for attaining the objects indicated above;

50 Figure 3 is a side elevation of the device in the stage of construction corresponding to a completion of the step of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an elevation similar to .Figure 3, but showing a further stage in he constru tion;

5 Figure 5 is an elevation. partly broken away,

to show the final construction of the element, the steps of formation of which are indicated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive;

Figure 6 is a plan view generally similar to Figure 5, but showing the corresponding stage of 5 construction of another element used in the same system;

Figure 7 is a sectional view showing the details of construction of the element of Figure 9;

Figure 8 is a wiring diagram illustrating the 10 use of the circuit elements of Figures 8 and 10; and

Figure 9 shows a sectional view of a circuit ele ment applicable to a battery or magneto system, this element being shown in Figure 8.

In an ordinary battery ignition system provided with a jump spark produced across the points of a spark plug (which system is illustrated in Figure 8 and will be described hereafter) there are three improved circuit elements preferably used.

The first of these may be designated the spark element, the second the master or coil element, and the third the breaker element. These elements are of .somewhat similar construction and there will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5, inclusive the details of construction of the spark-plug element.

A high tension lead wire 2 covered with heavy rubber insulation as indicated at 4, preferably of an outside diameter of about one-fourth inch is adapted to connect each of the distributing points of a distributor with a corresponding spark plug. On this heavily insulated wire there is built up the spark plug element at a location as close as feasible to the spark plug. For example, the center of the element may be approximately five inches from the point of connection of the wire 2 to the plug. At such location on the wire there are wrapped strips of tape, as indicated at 5-5 and 5-5", providing between them a hollow 40 space in which there is located the turned end l6 of an insulated lead wire indicated at I8. Over this there is wrapped a .strip of cellophane about one inch wide, indicated at 6, coated with an aluminum paint 8 forming a strip of rela- Z15 tively high resistanceabout one inch in width throughout the entire length of the cellophane, except adjacent the ends thereof, the coating being interrupted at the ends of the strip so that it will be completely enclosed in the cellophane." The aluminum coating desirable is about two feet long, though the length when the cellophane is about .001 inch in thickness may be substantially varied without any considerable eifect on the operation. The coating is preferably applied by spraying and is found to have a resistance of about 10- ohms per inch of length one inch wide. Preferably there are about nineteen turns of the coated cellophane" strip about the wires 4 and 16. Where greater capacity is required, the positions of 6, 8 sprayed cellophane capacity and turned end I6 of insulation lead wire indicated l8 may be reversed, thus 6, 8 would be wound over I6. Following the wrapping of the cellophane strip carrying the coating 8 on the wire as indicated in the figures, there is obtained a tight roll thereof and the entire roll is then dipped in an insulating penetrating primer consisting, for example, of any insulating lacquer. The coating thus obtained is indicated at 22 in Figure 4.

Following this operation the assembly is covered with a bakelite" or similar composition tube indicated at 24. Within this is compressed plastic rubber 26 to fill up the voids and the ends are sealed as shown at 28 with glyptol cement. Ends 38 are then located on the bakelite tube and cemented in place with the glyptol cement. These ends are provided with suitable openings for the passage of wires and portions of their covers.

The master or coil element is of very similar construction and is built upon the insulation 38 of a lead wire 32 on which are located two insulated wires 34 and 38, the former of which is doubled back on itself as indicated at 42. The conductors within these insulated wires are indicated at 36 and 48, respectively. On the outside of these there is wound a coated strip of cellophane 44, as indicated in connection with the previous modification. The two arrangements are the same except for the inclusion of the extra wire 38. The lap indicated at 42 is about one inch in length again corresponding approximately to the width of the aluminum coating and being within the same. The overlap of the wire 38 with the portion 42 of wire 34 is about threefourths of an inch. The assembly thus provided after coating is inserted in a bakelite tube 46,

whichis filled with rubber 48, sealed with cement as indicated at 58, and provided with caps (not shown).

In Figure 11 there is indicated in an ordinary jump spark circuit the inclusion of the two elements 52 and 54 of Figures 5 and 7. In this figure the spark coil is indicated as having a primary winding 56 about a core 58 and a secondary winding 68 one end of which is connected at 62 to the arm of a distributor the various cooperating points of which are shown at 64. The connection of one distributor point to a spark plug 66 is indicated, it being understood that the other points are similarly connected to otherspark plugs through elements 52. It will be noted that the wire 2 of the spark plug element connects a distributor point with its spark plug and that the lead l8 thereof is grounded at the base of the spark plug.

The connection between the coil and the distributor arm 62 is made by means of the lead 32 of the master or coil unit 54. The lead 36 of this is connected to the junction of the primary and secondary coils, 1. a to the lead 68 which is connected with the movable element 10 of the breaker. This element, in the usual fashion, iscontrolled by a cam conventionally indicated at H and makes and breaks the primary circuit through contact with the fixed breaker point 12. A condenser 13 of conventional type, having a capacity of .2 to .4 microfarad, is connected across the breaker points. The point 12 is grounded. The other end of the primary coil is connected to the battery 14, which is grounded, thus completing the primary circuit.

The second lead 40 of the element 54 is grounded at the location of the breaker point 12, preferably on the grounded portion of the distributor casing which houses the breaker elements.

With the arrangement as indicated a considerable improvement in operation is effected. Apparently the spark contains high frequency components, the character of the spark being substantially altered and high frequency components being shown by the use of an oscillograph. The precise action is not known, but as a result of the use of this arrangement, it is found that more satisfactory ignition occurs. As contrasted with the adjustments of an engine performing satisfactorily with an ordinary ignition circuit, it is found that with the use of the improved elements in the circuit illustrated satisfactory operation may be maintained even though the spark is advanced two to four degrees and the carburetor jets substantially reduced in size. The result is a substantial saving in fuel, with entirely efficient performance.

Apparently the elements do not function solely as condensers, though their nature may be described to some extent by reference to capacities which may be measured. It is found that the capacity measured between the leads 2 and I8 of the spark plug element is about 8.5 micromicrofarads. About the same capacity exists between the lead 32 and the lead 36. Between the leads 36 and 48 the capacity is about 20% less than this. The above capacities are those measured at low frequencies. At high frequencies there is very likely some inductive action and-the sprayed aluminum coating apparently takes an active part in the proper functioning of the devices.

The invention also contemplates the use of a device indicated at I6 shunted across the breaker points 18 and 12, which device may be used in either a battery or magneto system. This element, indicated at 16 in Figure 9, comprises two insulated leads l8 and respectively provided with conductors 82 and 84, overlapped for a distance of about one and one-half inches as indicated at 85. They may be secured together, for example, by means of rubber cement. Around these is wound Cellophane as indicated at 86, coated as in the previous modifications with a sprayed aluminum paint in the form of a strip of about one inch width. The total length of the strip is about the same asindicated in the case of the other elements. The assembly thus formed is coated with an insulating liquid 88 and is placed in an insulating tube 98 the caps 82 of which are cemented on the tube. About the outside of the tube is looped a band of metal 84 such as copper, about one-half inch in width, and the wire 84 is connected to it, as indicated at 86. The wire 84 is preferably the grounded side of the arrangement, being connected to the hot side of the breaker 18. The capacity between the conductors 84 and 82 is preferably of the order of about 10 micro-microfarads and should be less than 1% of the capacity of the condenser 13.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: i

1. In an ignition system, means providing a spark gap, a coil having a secondary winding arranged to provide a high voltage across said gap, and means providing a capacity across the secondary winding of the order of 10 micromicrofarads.

2. In an ignition system, means providing a spark gap, .a 'coil having a secondary winding arranged to provide a high voltage across'said gap, and means providing a capacity across the secondary winding of the order of but less than 10 micro-micdofarads.

3. In an ignition system, means providing a spark gap, a coil having a secondary winding arranged to provide a high voltage across said gap, and means providing a capacity across the secondary winding of the order of 10 micromicrofarads, said last named means comprising two inner plate members, and a strip of insulating material coated with metallic paint spirally wound about said plate members.

4. In an ignition system, means providing a spark gap, a coil having a secondary winding arranged to provide a high voltage across said gap, and means providing a capacity across the secondary winding of the order of 10 micro-microfarads, said last named means comprising two inner plate members, and a strip of insulatin material coated with metallic paint spirally wound about said plate members, said strip of insulating material comprising a strip of cellophane.

5. In an ignition system, means providing a spark gap, a coil having a secondary winding arranged to provide a high voltage across said gap, and means providing a capacity across the the secondary winding of the order of 10 micromicrofarads, said last named means comprising two inner plate members, and a strip of insulating material coated with metallic paint spirally wound about said plate members, said strip of insulating material comprising a strip of "cellophane.

6. In an ignition system, means providing a spark gap, acoil having a secondary winding arranged to provide a high voltage across said gap, and means providing a capacity across the secondary winding of the order of 10 micro-microfarads, said last named means comprising a pair of inner plate members, and a strip of insulating material wound about said plate members and provided with a sprayed metallic coating.

'7. In an ignition system,.means providing a spark gap, a coil having a secondary winding arranged to provide a high voltage across said gap, and means providing a capacity across the secondary windingof the order of 10 micro-microfarads, said last named means comprising a pair of inner platemembers, and a strip of insulating material wound about said plate and provided with a high resistance metallic coating.

8. In an'ignition system, means providing a spark gap, a coil having a secondary winding a:-

- ranged to provide a high voltage across said 5 means providing a'second capacity across said interrupting means having a value of the order of microfarads.

10. In an ignition system, means providing a spark gap, a coil having a secondary winding arranged to provide a high voltage across said gap,

anda primary winding, means for interrupting current through said primary winding, a condenser across said interrupting means, and means providing a second capacity across said interrupting means, said capacitybeing of a value less than one per cent. of the capacity of the first mentioned condenser, said last named means comprising a pair of parallel lengths of wire insulated from each other.

11. In an ignition system, means providing a spark gap, a coil having a secondary winding arranged to provide a high voltage across said gap, and a primary winding, means for interrupting current-through said primary winding, a condenser across said interrupting means, and means providing a second capacity across said interrupting means, said capacity being of a value less than one per cent. of the capacity of the first mentioned condenser, said last named means comprising a pair of spiral parallel lengths of wire insulated from each other.

12. In an ignition system, means providing a spark gap, a coil having a secondary winding ar ranged to provide a high voltage across said gap, a capacity across said secondary winding, and a primary winding, means for interrupting current through said primary winding, a condenser across said interrupting means, and means providing a second capacity across said interrupting means, said capacity being of a value less than one per cent. of the capacity of the first mentioned condenser.

13. In an ignition system, means providing a spark gap, a coil having a secondary winding arranged to provide a high voltage across said gap, a capacity across said secondary winding, and a primary winding, means for interrupting current through said primary winding, a condenser across said interrupting means, and means providing a second capacity across said interrupting means having a value of the order of 1()- microfarads.

14. In an ignition system, means providing a spark gap, a coil having a secondary winding arranged to provide a high voltage across said gap, a capacity of less than 10- microfarads across said secondary winding, and a primary winding, means for interrupting current through said primary winding, a condenser across said interrupting means, and means providing a second capacity across said interrupting means, said capacity being of a value less than one per cent. of the capacity of the first mentioned condenser, said last named means comprising a pair of parallel lengths of wire insulated from each other.

15. In an ignition system, means providing a spark gap, a coil having a secondary winding arranged to provide a high voltage across said gap, a capacity of less than 10- microfarads across said secondary winding, and a primary winding,

means for interrupting current through said primary winding, a condenser across said interrupting means, and means providinga second capacity across said interrupting means, said capacity being of a value less than one per cent. of the capacity of the first mentioned condenser, said last named means comprising a pair of spiral parallel lengths of wire insulated from each other.

16. An element for use in the ignition system of an internal combustion engine comprising an insulated wire plus a pair of insulated wires located adjacent each other and closely adjacent the insulation of the first wire, and a strip of cellophane coated with metallic paint wound about all three of said wires.

WILLIAM C. BRINTON. 

